Bacterial vaginosis, or BV for short, is a common infection that affects women from all walks of life. Traditional treatment is the use of oral or topical antibiotics inserted directly into the vagina. Whether in pill, gel, or cream form, these antibiotics must be prescribed by a doctor. Because it is often a recurring problem, it can end up being quite expensive to treat. Many women wonder if there is an over-the-counter treatment for BV available.

The answer is yes and no. While you can walk into a drugstore and find products that address yeast infections, there is no over-the-counter treatment for BV available without a prescription. However, there are items you can buy that can provide an alternative to antibiotics.

L. acidophilus – Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a “good” bacteria, found naturally in the body, including the vagina. When bacterial vaginosis occurs, the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria found there is upset. Once this happens, there are just too many bad bacteria, Gardnerella in particular, and it essentially takes over.

Acidophilus is an antimicrobial and works by killing harmful bacteria in the body, which is what it needs to fight bacterial vaginosis. So while it’s not technically an over-the-counter BV treatment, it’s easily accessible at the health food store. You can buy acidophilus in capsule form, although it also comes in powder form (I prefer the former). It is also found naturally in certain foods, which brings me to another option.

Yogurt – Another method that has been used successfully by many women is the practice of taking a tampon covered with plain yogurt and inserting it into the vagina. Then it is left for several hours, if possible overnight. In addition to the topical application, you can also eat yogurt that contains live cultures. Yogurt is an important item to incorporate into your diet in the fight against bacterial vaginosis, with the added benefit that it’s also good for your digestive health.

Hydrogen peroxide – A third method used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis is the use of a hydrogen peroxide douche. It also has antimicrobial properties and is considered an antibacterial agent. I am opposed to douching of any kind, however used sparingly it is a viable option. Hydrogen peroxide is readily available in pharmacies, so it can be considered an effective over-the-counter treatment for BV.